CHARLES CABRIER

An important George III period chinoiserie red lacquer bell top table clock, the three train 8 Day hour striking movement with quarter chimes on 8 bells in a very original state of preservation. The finely mounted brass dial has a raised silvered chapter ring, inset datework, dummy pendulum and a subsidiary strike/silent dial within the arch. The blued steel hands are finely pierced and appear to be original and the gilt foliate corner spandrels are well cast and chased.

The substantial triple fusee movement has a fully engraved foliate backplate, a heartshaped back cock and herringbone security brackets.

The exceptional red japanned case has a belltop surmounted by a pineapple finial on a block and exceptional gilt brass Caryatids and feet. The red and gilt lacquer work is in pristine unrestored condition hence its beautiful mellow red glow.

Date: circa 1760

Height: 28 in (71 cm)

Width: 15 ½ in (39 1.2 cm)

Depth: 10 in (25.5 cm)

* Charles Cabrier was a third generation clockmaker of the same name, having succeeded his father and grandfather. He was active in London between 1752 until his death in 1777. He was a prolific maker of fine musical table and longcase clocks, especially for the export market to Europe and the Far East. An exceptional pair of musical and automaton clocks in the oriental taste are illustrated in Richard Barder’s book The Georgian Bracket Clock, Colour Plate 27, page 164. These were reportedly made for the King of Nepal.